Perhaps it would be a good idea if I lingered longer as I wander around the back 40. This past week, the first in November, I took a walk back to check the bee yard that is situated in a sheltered spot, out of view of our house, beside a row of wild apple trees.
Though warm, calm, and sunny, the night before, winds were a little gusty, and I felt I should check and make sure that none of the weighted- down lids had blown off of the now winterized hives.
Finding all was well, I wandered over the little rise, heading for our newly renovated pond. But before I crested the hill, I immediately stopped. There before me, in my guess, was a flock of yellow-shafted flickers (members of the woodpecker family) that numbered well beyond the 20s. I immediately froze my position, as I was surprised to see such a great number, especially this late in the season.
I had often seen them in small family groups dust their feathers on anthills and on our lawn as they dug for white grubs and earwigs. But these were just hopping awkwardly around, in no given direction, as they spread out slowly across the area. It was obvious they were eating something. When I looked down at my feet, it was evident – they were gobbling up slow-moving grasshoppers that were warming in the sun, unable to hop away, chilled by the frost of the night before. Obviously the flock was refuelling before it continued its long flight south.
At the pond I lingered, with my butt resting on a hip-high tornado-downed log, left intentionally, as a bench, after the cleanup. As I semi-dozed in the warm sun, the whistle of fast-moving wings got my attention. Wheeling in, after circling once close over the trees, was a small flock of what I believed to be green-winged teal.
Banking sharply, they dropped, as one, and started dipping and diving, often coming up several feet from where they entered. I think they were just playing, as I’m quite sure there is no fish or other food of any account yet established in the pond.
Their stay was short-lived as Foxy, our big lunk of a house dog, who shadows me wherever I go, barked and yipped as she chased a large buck racoon up a neighbouring dead tree stump. I think Mr. Coon, though he was hiding behind the traditional mask, will be short-lived in the area, as I could see several tracks of coyotes in the mud around the pond.
There were also many deer tracks – big, medium and little – widespread in the soft mud where they came down to drink. This initially bothered me as we are now in full swing bow and arrow hunting season up here. But I think now I have no worry. They are perhaps smarter than we think. As I went over the hill crest on the way home, I could see resting in the small valley before me, soaking up the sun ’neath some scrub apple trees, a buck, a doe, and two fawns.
From their vantage point they could see anyone coming from any direction. And they never even rose to stand when Foxy trotted by. She didn’t bother, obviously thinking they were goats.
Do you think I should loiter longer watching the things that linger? What are your thoughts?
Take care, ‘cause we care.
barrie@barriehopkins.ca
519-986-4105